At age 11 (12 in Scotland) children go to secondary school. This might normally be the
school nearest their home, but parents in England and Wales are allowed to express a
preference for a different school. In some areas, getting a secondary school place in a
preferred school can be difficult, and parents often apply to several schools in order to
make sure their child gets offered a place. In Northern Ireland many schools select
children through a test taken at the age of 11.

If the preferred school has enough places, the child will be offered a place. If there are
not enough places, children will be offered places according to the school’s admission
arrangements. Admission arrangement vary from area to area.

Secondary schools are larger than primary schools. Most are mixed sex, although there
are single sex schools in some areas. Your local education authority will give you
information on schools in your area. It will also tell you which schools have spaces and
give you information about why some children will be given places when only a few are
available and why other children will not. It will also tell you how to apply for a
secondary school place.

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